DES MOINES, Iowa — Presidential candidate Mitt Romney does not plan to compete in the Iowa Republican straw poll in August, an event he spent more than $1 million to win four years ago but that would divert time and money from a 2012 campaign designed to present him as a national candidate, aides confirmed Thursday.

The decision is further evidence that the nonbinding contests, of which Iowa's is the best-known and highest- profile, are seen as optional for better-known candidates.

Romney also is not planning to compete in any other of the many nonbinding straw polls in early-nominating states, including Michigan and Florida.

On Thursday, Romney was campaigning in Michigan, where he didn't back down from his opposition to a multibillion-dollar federal bailout for General Motors and Chrysler, even as Michigan autoworkers protesting his campaign appearances pointed to the companies' resurgence as a sign Romney was wrong.

At campaign stops in and around Detroit, the Michigan native said the automakers should have gone through a private bankruptcy without the federal aid.

Lockheed says object part of 'sensor technology' testing that ended ThursdayWhat the heck is that thing? It's fair to assume that question was on the minds of many people who traveled along Colo. 128 south of Boulder this week if they happened to catch a glimpse of what appeared to be a large, silver projectile perched alongside the highway and pointed north toward town.

PARIS (AP) — Bye, New York! Ciao, Milan! Bonjour, Paris! The world's largest traveling circus of fashion editors, models, buyers and journalists has descended on the French capital, clutching their metro maps and city guides, to cap the ready-to-wear fashion season. Full Story